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Federal elections in Canada typically occur approximately every four years. The last election was held on January 23, 2006 and the results were finalized on February 2, 2006. The next election, therefore, had to have been called on or before February 2, 2011, but minority governments typically last approximately two years before an election is called by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister asked the Governor General for a dissolution of the 39th Parliament on September 7, 2008 for an October 14, 2008 election. |
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Please select the topic you are interested in, or simply scroll down the page to read the answers to all questions.
What are the registered political parties in Canada?
What riding do I live in and who were the candidates?Elections Canada has put together an excellent data base filled with information about each of the 308 ridings in Canada (complete with maps and statistics of the area).Click here to find your riding. What were the party standings in the House of Commons going into the election?Going into the general election, the standings in the House of Commons were as follows.
Why was an election being held now?Unlike in the United States, where an election is automatically held every two years on the first Tuesday in November, federal elections in Canada are held upon the dissolution of the Parliament by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The government can then hold office for a maximum of five years* but frequently call the election before that term expires.* Only once has a government held office for longer than five years. The 12th Parliament of Canada ran from November 15, 1911 until October 6, 1917 - a total of 5 years, 10 months, and 21 days. The five year term expired but it was felt that the disruption of an election during such an enormous crisis (World War I) could be disastrous. At the end of the five years, the House of Commons was no longer allowed to convene so laws could not be passed nor could any government activity occur through normal means. The government was sustained, however, through Governor General grants of funds for expenditures necessary to keep the country operating. What were the major issues that the parties are running on?
What was the outcome of the election?
See also Government Government Fact Sheets to Download External Links Elections Canada Nodice Elections 
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